1655 brake shims?

[Josh in Pa]

I am putting new brakes in my 1655. Have never done them before. The cast cover is shimmed. How many shims should be in place? I did do my 1550, but I don't think those had shims, all adjustment was through the linkage.
Josh

 

[johns]

It took 5 or 6 shims on each side of mine when I put new pads in. They are getting hard to find. Unfortunately most shims get tossed as the pads wear. I've seen guys also use washers to space out cover and then silcone the gap closed around cover.

 

[B A Star]

Josh:   The reason for the use of the shims was to provide maximum braking.   Maximum braking force is applied when the actuating lever and pull rod are as close to 90 degrees as possible.
  This is covered in Service Bulletin # 430 286 dated 6-12-69.   It states the shimmed covers went into production at S/N 216 426.  

[b:654c4848f0]To adjust: [/b:654c4848f0]Loosen the adjusting nut so that the nut is just loose on the actuating lever.   Now adjust the amount of shims to have 3 1/2" of free travel of the brake pedals.   You can cut out additional shims from sheet metal using the originals for a pattern.    As wear occurs to where you have more than the recommended 3 1/2" free pedal travel adjust by removing shims instead of adjusting the lever nut.